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Gubalowka Funicular: Tickets, Hours and What to Do on Top
Gubalowka is the hill above Zakopane where the top things to do are the funicular ride, the Tatra view, a lunch on the terrace and the gravity slide. A return funicular ticket costs PLN 42 at the ticket office in the low season, and the ride takes about four minutes each way. The resort is closed from 16 to 27 November. If you want it as part of a day from Krakow, see the zakopane day trip from krakow range.
Quick answer Tickets, closure, what to do
A return Gubalowka funicular ticket costs PLN 42 at the ticket office or PLN 37 online in the low season, and the ride takes about four minutes each way. The ticket is valid all day with unlimited stay on top. The resort is closed for maintenance from 16 to 27 November, with replacement coaches from 9:30 to 19:00.
Key takeaways
- See the ticket prices for the low and high season.
- Check the November closure before you pick a date.
- Plan what to do on top, from the view to the slide.
- Compare day tours that include it from Krakow.
How Much Does the Gubalowka Funicular Cost?
A return ticket is PLN 42 at the ticket office in the low season and PLN 49 in the high season.
Prices are set by Polskie Koleje Linowe (PKL) and differ by season, by channel and by age.
Funicular Prices by Season
The table shows adult (regular) prices. Online is cheaper than the ticket office or machines in both seasons. You can book tickets online up to two months in advance and have them sent to your phone. Children up to 4 years old ride free on the guardian's ticket, and there is no extra fee for a pram.
A dog needs a PLN 5 ticket one way, with leash and muzzle. A bicycle or large bag costs PLN 10 at the ticket office only.
The low season covers 1 October to 18 December. The high season covers 4 June to 30 September.
| Season and channel | Return | One way | Reduced return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low season, online | PLN 37 | PLN 29 | PLN 29 |
| Low season, ticket office or machines | PLN 42 | PLN 34 | PLN 34 |
| High season, online | PLN 44 | PLN 35 | PLN 35 |
| High season, ticket office or machines | PLN 49 | PLN 39 | PLN 39 |
Combined Tickets with the Chairlift
The Butorowy Wierch chairlift has its own tariff. A combined funicular and chairlift ticket valid for one day costs PLN 44 normal and PLN 35 reduced online in the high season. The Podhalanski duet ticket, a funicular return plus a chairlift return valid 7 days, costs PLN 54 normal and PLN 43 reduced online in the high season.
Both only pay off if you plan to ride both lifts.
Sources: Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka, Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka.
The Gubałówka funicular climbs steeply through forest from the lower station in town. Photo: Rosser1954 Roger Griffith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Is the Gubalowka Funicular Open in November?
No, the Gubalowka resort is closed for technical maintenance from 16 to 27 November.
Replacement coaches carry visitors to the summit on those dates.
What Runs While the Funicular Is Shut
Replacement coaches run from 9:30 to 19:00 during the closure. The Butorowy Wierch chairlift is closed from 16 to 28 November. A day tour that includes the funicular may swap it for the coach, so ask your operator before you book.
Outside those dates the funicular runs non-stop on busy days, because 10 people are enough to depart, and otherwise every 15 minutes. Wind and maintenance can stop any lift in the Tatras, so never plan a day that depends on one running. For winter conditions, read Zakopane in winter.
Sources: Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka, Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka, Tatra National Park.
What to Do in Gubalowka?
The view, a meal on a terrace, the gravity slide, market stalls and the ridge walk to Butorowy Wierch fill a couple of hours.
The summit is flat and compact, with a lot packed into a small space.
Things to Do on Top
The table lists each activity, what it is and how long it takes. It is easy to spend a couple of hours on top, particularly if you eat at one of the restaurants.
| Activity | What it is | Time and season |
|---|---|---|
| Tatra view | Terraces on top face the Tatra Mountains and Zakopane below | Never guaranteed, depends on weather |
| Widokowka Restaurant | Regional dishes like pierogi with oscypek or bryndza cheese | Set a bit higher for the best panorama |
| Tarasy Restaurant | Outside dining on finer days | Weather dependent |
| Gravity slide | A cart for parent and child, up to 23km per hour | April to November |
| Snow tubing | Sliding downhill in a rubber ring | Snowy season |
| Market stalls | Local cheeses and toys, plus horse and carriage rides | On the road behind the cafes |
| Walk to Butorowy Wierch | Mountain-top trail with views | 40-minute walk, then a chairlift down |
Tours That Include the Gubalowka Funicular
These day trips from Krakow name the funicular or a Zakopane day around it.
from $25
Lowest price on GYG
Zakopane, Tatra Mountains and Gubalowka Day Trip
A classic Zakopane day without the pools: 2 hours on Krupowki and an hour up on Gubalowka.
Check Availability
from $20.84
Longest free time
Zakopane Tour from Krakow with Gubalowka Funicular and Hotel Pickup
Three hours of free time in Zakopane, the most on any classic day here, with the funicular ticket included.
Check Availability
from $32
Most hours in town
Zakopane Tour with Hot Springs, Cable Car and Cheese Tasting
Funicular, tasting and a 3-hour bath ticket included, with about 2.5 hours of free time in Zakopane.
Check AvailabilityWhere Can You Eat on Gubalowka?
The Widokowka Restaurant sets the panorama and serves pierogi with oscypek or bryndza cheese.
There are two sit-down options and stalls behind them.
Restaurants and Stalls
The Widokowka (Viewer's) Restaurant is set a bit higher and serves regional specialities. The Tarasy Restaurant offers outside dining on finer days. Behind the cafes and restaurants, a road of market stalls sells local cheeses.
Oscypek is a Protected Designation of Origin in the EU. Genuine oscypek must contain at least 60% sheep milk, be hand-formed and smoked over coniferous wood. Look for the ChNP mark on packaging or seller documents, and know that real oscypek is made from May to September.
Source: Government of Poland.
The top of Gubałówka is a wide terrace with a full view of the Tatras across Zakopane. Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What Is Gubalowka Mountain?
Gubalowka is a hill above Zakopane with a funicular that carries visitors to the top.
It is a popular viewpoint over the Tatras and the town.
The Hill, the Funicular and the Chairlift
The Gubalowka Hill funicular connects Zakopane and the top, and a chairlift runs on to Butorowy Wierch. The hill is a well-known viewpoint served by a funicular and by marked footpaths, and the 1,123 m ride up is part of the fun.
The station address is ul. Droga Zubka 4, 34-500 Zakopane.
Can You Walk Up Gubalowka Instead of Taking the Funicular?
Yes, but it is a moderate climb that takes a big share of your Zakopane time.
A return funicular ticket buys time, not access.
The Hike
The walk up Gubalowka is a moderate hike. On a day tour from Krakow with 9 hours away, that is too much of the Zakopane time to spend climbing. Take the funicular up and walk the 40-minute ridge to Butorowy Wierch if you want exercise.
Tickets are valid all day with unlimited stay time, so you can ride up and walk back down on your own schedule.
Source: Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka.
How Do You Fit Gubalowka into a Day from Krakow?
Take a coach day trip, or read the train and bus options, then ride up for a couple of hours.
An organised day trip is an excellent option.
Tour or On Your Own
Zakopane-Gubalowka days from Krakow run 9 hours, with prices from $20.84 to $25 per person. See the full list in the Tatra Mountains tour comparison. If you also want the thermal baths, the thermal baths tours go further.
Travelling alone is covered in Krakow to Zakopane.
The Butorowy Wierch chairlift gives a view across the valley to Giewont. Photo: Zoobek, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gubalowka Questions
Gubalowka zakopane: how long does the funicular take?
The entire trip takes about four minutes each way. See the ticket prices.
Gubalowka cable car price?
A return funicular ticket costs PLN 42 at the ticket office or PLN 37 online in the low season. Read the price table.
Do I need to book Gubalowka tickets in advance?
You can buy online up to two months ahead, but a ticket is valid all day. See the closure dates.
What is the Gubalowka slide?
The gravity slide is a cart that runs from April to November at up to 23km per hour. See things to do.
Can I take a dog up Gubalowka?
A dog needs a PLN 5 ticket one way, with leash and muzzle. Check the ticket notes.
Is Gubalowka worth it?
It is worth it for a couple of hours of view and food. See day tours that include it.
More Guides
- Zakopane in Winter: Is It Worth Going, and What Is Open?
Zakopane in winter in 2027: 1 hour 57 minutes from Krakow by Pendolino. See what is open and what lifts and baths cost.
- Tatra Mountains Tour from Krakow: Zakopane and Gubalowka in a Day
Tatra Mountains tours from Krakow in 2027: 8 to 9 hour days from $19.50 with Gubalowka. See the extra fees and compare tours.
- Things to Do in Zakopane on a Day Trip from Krakow
Things to do in Zakopane in 2027: day tours run 9 to 11 hours, so pick two or three stops. See lifts, baths and Morskie Oko.